Diabetes Mellitus Is a Disease

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that results from body's cells inability to absorb glucose once it has entered the body (American Diabetes Association, 2013). There are multiple types of diabetes: Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes. Although the overarching idea behind each of these types of diabetes is the build-up of glucose in the blood, the way that each type affects the body is different from one another. Type 1 diabetes was once known as juvenile diabetes because it was thought to be an autoimmune disorder that occurred in only children (American Diabetes Association, 2013). However, type 1 diabetes could also develop in adults. This type is characterized as insulin-dependent because it requires that the individual inject multiple dosages of insulin in order for glucose to be absorbed by the cells. With type 1, the beta cells in the pancreas have become dysfunctional and therefore do not produce the insulin that an individual needs to absorb the glucose once it enters the body; this is a life-long condition (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). Type 2 diabetes is known as non-insulin dependent because the beta cells are still producing the insulin necessary for an individual, but the problem lies in the cells ability to respond to the insulin; it does not know how to absorb it (American Diabetes Association, 2013). This type of diabetes is heavily correlated to diet and can therefore be reversed with proper nutrition and exercise. Gestational diabetes develops during a woman's pregnancy. As the influx of hormones flow through women during pregnancy, insulin receptors could start to malfunction (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). A shift in nutrition and diet can also have the same result. However, with proper diet and once a woman gives birth, gestational diabetes goes away on its own (American Diabetes Association, 2013).

Type 2 diabetes stems from the cell's inability to intake the insulin that is secreted from the beta cells in the pancreas (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). With every meal that an individual has, they are consuming sufficient amounts of carbohydrates and sugars that eventually get converted into glucose and travel through the blood system. These glucose molecules are used by the body's cells to complete the glycolysis step in cellular respiration and metabolism; it provides the body with quick energy (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). However, it is because of the insulin receptors that glucose is able to enter the cell and make all that possible. In type 2 diabetes these insulin receptors are damaged and therefore the glucose that is in your blood system cannot get into the cell (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). This is caused by improper diet and lack of exercise. These receptors stop working and the build-up of glucose starts to cause damage to the body.

As the body gets overwhelmed with glucose, signs and symptoms start to appear. These consist of an increase in thirst levels and urination caused by the increase in osmolarity in the blood because of all the glucose (American Diabetes Association, 2013). As blood flows, it starts attracting the fluid from the tissues and therefore more fluid is entering the kidneys when filtering the blood, causing an increase in urination. And because the body is losing so much fluid, dry mouth and an increase in thirst are initiated (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). Other symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, and sudden loss of weight (American Diabetes Association, 2013). These symptoms are a sign that the body's cells are not getting the glucose that they need to function properly and give the body the energy to conduct its daily functions.

Once an individual is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a series of treatment options are available. Type 2 diabetes does not entail the permanent lack of production of insulin, but it does reduce the amount of insulin receptors that are functional, therefore insulin injections are used as a form of treatment (American Diabetes Association, 2013). The influx of insulin allows for the glucose that has been building up to get absorbed by the cells and tissues in order to keep them viable. However, the best treatment available for type 2 diabetes is a change toward a healthier lifestyle. Changing what is eaten and providing the body with more exercise reverses type 2 diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2013). It allows for the insulin receptors to continue to work and properly intake the necessary amounts of glucose from the bloodstream. Because obesity and being overweight is a cause of type 2 diabetes, the best treatment method is weight loss (American Diabetes Association, 2013). Losing the weight alone will not treat it, there needs to be a lifestyle change. This lifestyle change is the prevention techniques that others need to practice in order to avoid getting type 2 diabetes. By carefully choosing what to eat and regularly exercising, type 2 diabetes can be completely prevented (American Diabetes Association, 2013).